Lakeland commissioners spent roughly three hours Monday, Oct. 5, on business ranging from a $22 million police-technology contract to billboard removals and several key leadership changes.
It was the commission’s first regular meeting of Fiscal Year 2027, which began Oct. 1.
$22 Million Axon Deal Expands AI, Police Cameras
Lakeland commissioners unanimously approved a 10-year, $21.98 million contract with Axon Enterprise, updating and expanding Lakeland Police Department technology including body cameras, Tasers, in-car video, AI tools, and drones.
The package includes AI-assisted report drafting, translation, and evidence transcription, plus drones that can be remotely dispatched to emergency scenes. The price is about $683,000 above the $21.3 million proposal LkldNow reported in June; officials did not explain the increase Monday…